The last time Chad Brownlee performed in Port Coquitlam, he was just starting out as a country act.
A former ice hockey player who stopped due to injuries, Brownlee opened the city’s 12th annual Sunday Coffee Concert Series in 2011 at the Terry Fox Theatre, a show sponsored in part by the Tri-City News.
“That was one of my first shows,” he recalled. “I was thrown right in the fire. I was super green but you learn as you go. It seems like such a long time ago.”
Much has changed for Brownlee: Since then, the 38-year-old musician has been nominated for a 2013 Juno Award for Country Album of the Year (for Love Me or Leave Me) and, in 2019, he earned his first No. 1 chart hit with “Forever’s Gotta Start Somewhere.”
He’s also acted, appearing in the 2010 film Tooth Fairy as a hockey player and as Bruce — the ex-boyfriend of the protagonist — in last year’s movie Range Roads.
For Canada Day, he’ll be back in Port Coquitlam to headline the July 1 festivities at Castle Park that are organized by the city.
And, rather than an acoustic set like he had at the Terry Fox Theatre a dozen years earlier, the Okanagan resident will be accompanied by a full band.
Starting at 8:40 p.m., they’ll charge up the favourites plus a new single that’s expected to drop at the end of July.
“It’s going to be a busy summer, which I’m looking forward to especially since the last few years have been quiet” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
Brownlee said he jumps at the chance to play a gig in his home province, and honouring the country’s birthday “and bringing a good time to people with music and positivity is always fun.”
“I’m proud to be a Canadian.”
Meanwhile, the Juno-nominated band Big Sugar will also be on the Castle Park stage to play their blues rock–reggae tunes.
Known for such songs as “Diggin’ a Hole,” “Turn the Lights On” and “If I Had My Way,” Big Sugar lights up the park starting at 7:05 p.m.
CANADA DAY LINE UP
The Canada Day party is free and open to all ages.
It kicks off with a Lions Club pancake breakfast and fishing derby at Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) from 8 to 11 a.m. The fishing derby is free for kids under 10 years of age. No registration is required.
At noon, head up to Castle Park with your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the entertainment, food and beverages until 10 p.m., when the fireworks begin.
Hop on a free shuttle, which will operate every 30 minutes from downtown, as well as the northern and southern sides of Port Coquitlam, from noon to 11 p.m.:
North Side
- Minnekhada Middle School
- Terry Fox Secondary School
Downtown
- Westcoast Express Port Coquitlam Station (wheelchair-accessible bus will be marked)
South Side
- Mary Hill Elementary School
- Kilmer Elementary School
Strollers are allowed on the shuttle bus. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/canadaday for more details.
